/ 20 September 2010

Pope leaves UK after cheerful send-off from Cameron

The pope flew back to Rome on Sunday night after four days that encompassed three open air masses, eight speeches, one beatification and quite a bit of baby-kissing — all conducted above a permanent hum of protest.

Proving that some people really are above the law, Benedict XVI was not made to take off his red loafers to clear security at Birmingham airport this evening. He didn’t even have to surrender his liquids.

Instead, his armoured car was waved straight through the barriers, his two Popemobiles having already been loaded on to a truck to make their way back to the Vatican by land and sea.

Shadowed by police helicopters, the cavalcade then swept towards the far end of the airport, where two red carpets had been arranged in a cross, stuck down with extra-strong tape to stop them flapping about in the wind.

Despite his exhausting schedule, the 83-year-old pontiff did not appear tired as he was handed his glasses by his personal secretary, “Gorgeous” Georg Gänswein. He stood up to deliver his final address, which commented on the “challenges” posed the by multiculturalism he had witnessed on his whistlestop tour of the country.

“During my time with you, I have been able to meet representatives of the many communities, cultures, languages and religions that make up British society. The very diversity of modern Britain is a challenge to its government and people, but it also represents a great opportunity to further intercultural and interreligious dialogue for the enrichment of the entire community,” he told a small audience of dignitaries. These included David Cameron and Chris Patten, the former MP who was in charge of the state visit.

“As Britain is home to so many religious traditions I was grateful to have the opportunity to meet their representatives and to share some thoughts with them about the contribution that the religions can offer to the development of a healthy, pluralistic society,” said the pope, above the drone of the helicopters circling overhead.

Excellent relations
While the pilot of the Alitalia plane prepared for take-off, the pope said how much he had enjoyed the visit. It had brought Britain and the Vatican closer together, he said.

“I sincerely hope that these occasions will contribute to confirming and strengthening the excellent relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom, especially in co-operation for international development, in care for the natural environment and in the building of a civil society with a renewed sense of shared values and common purpose,” he said.

Before the pope delivered his final speech, Cameron thanked him for what he described as an “incredibly moving four days” and defended the role religion plays in Britain.

“Faith is part of the fabric of our country. It always has been and it always will be. As you, your Holiness, have said, faith is not a problem for legislators to solve but rather a vital part of our national conversation — and we are proud of that,” said the prime minister.

“You have really challenged the whole country to sit up and think, and that can only be a good thing,” he added.

It had been an honour to have the pope in Britain, said Cameron.

“Your Holiness, your presence here has been a great honour for our country. Now you are leaving us — and I hope with strong memories.

“When you think of our country, think of it as one that not only cherishes faith, but one that is deeply but quietly, compassionate.”

Cameron added: “I see that compassion in the incredible response to the floods in Pakistan … and in the spirit of community that drives countless good deeds done for friends and neighbours every day. And in my own life, I have seen this compassion and this generosity in the many, many kind messages that I have had as I have cradled a new daughter and said goodbye to a wonderful father.”

The prime minister then walked the pope to his plane, which was flying both the union flag and the flag of the Holy See from the cockpit. And then, after one last exchange of goodbyes, Benedict XVI confidently climbed the stairs of the aircraft, steady enough to not need the handrail, and turned to wave a final farewell to Great Britain. – guardian.co.uk